Transparent dentifrice for use with electromagnetic radiation emitting toothbrush system

ABSTRACT

A cleaning and whitening system for teeth having an electromagnetic radiation emitting toothbrush and a dentifrice with a photosensitive agent is disclosed. The toothbrush has a cleaning surface, such as bristles. The toothbrush is also adapted to direct electromagnetic radiation toward the cleaning surface. The electromagnetic radiation may be monochromatic or polychromatic. Further, the electromagnetic radiation may be substantially free of ultraviolet radiation. Additionally, the electromagnetic radiation may consist essentially of wavelengths within a range of 300 to 750 nanometers. The photosensitive agent is dispersed throughout the dentifrice. The dentifrice transmits the electromagnetic radiation through a varying thickness disposed over a target surface during use of the system. As a result, a significant portion of the photosensitive agent reacts, resulting in whitening stains, removing and/or disclosing undesired substances, and/or foaming. The dentifrice may be clear and may have clear abrasive particles. A method for tuning the cleaning and whitening system for teeth includes formulating the dentifrice with photosensitive agents that react to a range of electromagnetic radiation and providing a toothbrush that emits that electromagnetic radiation range. Another method of tuning the cleaning and whitening system includes designing a toothbrush that emits a range of electromagnetic radiation and formulating a dentifrice with photosensitive agents that react to the electromagnetic radiation range.

PRIORITY INFORMATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.11/890,047, filed on Aug. 3, 2007 and entitled ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATIONEMITTING TOOTHBRUSH AND TRANSPARENT TOOTHPASTE COMBINATION, the contentsof which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to generally to dental hygiene and, moreparticularly, to toothbrush and brushing compound combinations.

2. Description of Related Art

Proper dental hygiene is not only important for dental health reasons,but for personal appearance considerations as well. One of the manytechniques people employ to improve their personal appearance throughdental hygiene is to have their teeth whitened. Teeth whiteningtechniques vary in cost, convenience, and effectiveness.

Dental health professionals use many techniques to whiten teeth toimprove their patients' personal appearance. High pressure baking sodasolutions are used to scour teeth in a process analogous tosand-blasting. Chemical treatments abound for bleaching the teeth.However, these treatments require the inconvenience of visiting a dentalhealth practice and the expense involved in having the treatmentperformed by a dental health professional.

Brushing with a dentifrice, whether a toothpaste, gel, cream, or powder,has some effect in whitening teeth due to the abrasive action of thedentifrice on the teeth. A relatively simple method of whitening teethcomprises brushing them with a dentifrice comprising whitening agents.Hydrogen peroxide, a common whitening agent, is a component in manyoff-the-shelf toothpastes and tooth gels. However, certain diets andactivities, such as smoking, stain the teeth beyond the ability of adentifrice alone to sufficiently whiten them.

The prior art discloses toothbrushes equipped with a light source thatcan illuminate the brushing region and provide beneficial radiation tothe tooth surface. Examples of illuminating toothbrushes are disclosedin U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,306,143 entitled DENTAL HYGIENE APPLIANCE; 5,160,194entitled TOOTHBRUSH WITH EXTERNALLY ILLUMINATED BRISTLES; 5,030,090entitled OPTICAL TOOTHBRUSH AND METHOD OF USE; and 4,779,173 entitledILLUMINATED BRUSH DEVICE, all of which are expressed incorporated hereinby reference in their entireties.

A need exists for an improvement in whitening and cleaning teeth whichdoes not require visiting a dental health professional and whichimproves the whitening of prior art dentifrices and electromagneticradiation emitting toothbrushes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A cleaning and whitening system for teeth having an electromagneticradiation emitting toothbrush and a dentifrice with a photosensitiveagent is disclosed. The toothbrush has a cleaning surface, such asbristles. The toothbrush is also adapted to direct electromagneticradiation toward the cleaning surface. The electromagnetic radiation maybe monochromatic or polychromatic. Further, the electromagneticradiation may be substantially free of ultraviolet radiation.Additionally, the electromagnetic radiation may consist essentially ofwavelengths within a range of 300 to 750 nanometers. The photosensitiveagent is dispersed throughout the dentifrice. The dentifrice transmitsthe electromagnetic radiation through a varying thickness of dentifricedisposed over a target surface during use of the system. As a result, asignificant portion of the photosensitive agent reacts, resulting inwhitening stains, removing and/or disclosing undesirable substances,and/or foaming. The dentifrice may be clear and may have clear abrasiveparticles.

In an aspect of the invention, the cleaning and whitening system forteeth comprises a toothbrush having a cleaning surface, the toothbrushbeing adapted to direct polychromatic electromagnetic radiation towardthe cleaning surface, wherein the polychromatic electromagneticradiation consists essentially of wavelengths within a range of 300 to750 nanometers.

In an aspect of the invention, the teeth cleaning and whitening systemcomprises a dentifrice that has a photosensitive agent that reactssubstantially only to electromagnetic radiation within a predeterminedrange. The system further comprises a toothbrush having a cleaningsurface, the toothbrush being adapted to direct electromagneticradiation toward the cleaning surface, wherein the electromagneticradiation is bound to wavelengths that are substantially within thepredetermined range.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the photosensitive agent has arelatively high reaction rate when exposed to electromagnetic radiationin a highly reactive portion of the predetermined range compared to anaverage reaction rate when the photosensitive agent is exposed toelectromagnetic radiation over the predetermined range. Additionally,the polychromatic electromagnetic radiation emitted by the toothbrush isbound to wavelengths that are substantially within the highly reactiveportion of the predetermined range.

In an aspect of the invention, a method of tuning the cleaning andwhitening system for teeth includes a step of formulating the dentifricewith photosensitive agents that react to a range of electromagneticradiation, and a step of providing a toothbrush that emits thatelectromagnetic radiation range.

In another aspect of the invention, a method of tuning the cleaning andwhitening system includes a step of designing a toothbrush that emits arange of electromagnetic radiation and another step of formulating adentifrice with a photosensitive agent that reacts to theelectromagnetic radiation range.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an electromagnetic radiation emittingtoothbrush and a container of brushing compound in a package accordingto an embodiment of the invention; and

FIGS. 2-4 are schematic views of an electromagnetic radiation emittingtoothbrush according to another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, an electromagnetic radiation emittingtoothbrush 1 and a container 31 of brushing compound are shown disposedwithin a package 32. Other embodiments of the invention have differingdesigns of the container 31. The package 32 is shown schematically andembodiments of the invention may use any suitable package design andconfiguration.

The general structure of the toothbrush 1 is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,306,143 entitled DENTAL HYGIENE APPLIANCE to Levy, the contents ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference. Modified embodiments of theinvention may use other suitable electromagnetic radiation emittingtoothbrushes. The basic components of the toothbrush 1 include a handle4 and a brushing head 5. The brushing head 5 is constituted by a body 6having a base surface 7 from which a set of tooth brushing bristles 8project. The composition and form of the bristles 8, and the manner inwhich the bristles 8 are secured to the body 6, conform to conventionalpractice in the toothbrush art. The ends 9 of the bristles 8 comprise acleaning surface that is used for scouring teeth and alike. Otherembodiments of the invention may have other types of cleaning surfaces,such as, for example, a sponge or other type of foam.

The toothbrush 1 is further provided with means for directingmonochromatic radiation of a selected type from the body 6 in thedirection of an arrow 10, which is generally parallel to the directionin which the bristles 8 project from the body 6. The radiation isemitted generally via the base surface 7 of the body 6. In modifiedembodiments of the invention, the radiation may be emitted from thehandle 4, guided by the bristles 8, or any other suitable means fordirecting radiation to the ends 9 of the bristles, which form thecleaning surface of the illustrated embodiment of the invention.

The handle 4 is provided with a light-emitting device 14 for generatingthe electromagnetic radiation. Embodiments of the invention may use anysuitable means for generating the electromagnetic radiation, such asemiconductor laser that generates monochromatic electromagneticradiation or a light emitting diode that emits polychromaticelectromagnetic radiation.

The brushing head 5 is shown having a lens 18, one or moresemitransparent mirrors 20 and a fully reflecting mirror 22. In theillustrated embodiment of the invention, the electromagnetic radiationproduced by light-emitting device 14 is in the form of a small diametercollimated beam extended along an axis corresponding to the longitudinalaxis of the handle 4 and the head 5. The mirrors 20 and 22 are orientedat an angle of 45° to the beam axis, and the lens 18 is constructed andarranged to give the electromagnetic radiation beam a slightly divergingform such that the beam will diverge to an area essentially coextensivewith the area occupied by the mirror 22. Modified embodiments of theinvention may use other arrangements for directing the electromagneticradiation generating means to the cleaning surface of the brushing head5.

The body 6 may itself be made of a plastic which is transparent to theelectromagnetic radiation so that portions of the radiation arereflected in the direction 10 by the mirrors 20, and the remainingradiation is reflected by the mirror 22. The optical system constitutedby the lens 18 and the mirrors 20, 22 is arranged to cause radiation totraverse an area, which is at least approximately coextensive with thearea covered by the ends 9 of the bristles 8. However, the radiationarea may, depending on the particular operations to be performed, extendover a smaller or larger cleaning surface. Modified embodiments of theinvention may use other optical system arrangements.

A modified embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 2-4. The mirrors 20, 22are replaced with reflective surfaces. The reflective surfaces can beformed on the interior surfaces of the outer, stepped portion of thehead of the toothbrush. The reflective surfaces may comprise foil orfoils, for example, which are embedded into the plastic and wrapped, forexample, around the back and sides of the stepped portion of the head.Other materials and/or types of reflective surfaces may be used toincrease, decrease, and/or change a distribution of radiationtransmitted through the bristles.

In FIG. 2, the head tapers from a diameter of 0.440 units, to a diameterof 0.287 units just before the stepped portion. This diameter, which isjust before the stepped portion, can be increased to facilitate greatertransmission of radiation to the stepped portion or, in otherembodiments, can be decreased to attenuate an amount of radiationtransmitted to the stepped portion. A width of the head, which is 0.430units as shown in FIG. 4, may similarly be increased to facilitategreater transmission of radiation through the bristles or, in otherembodiments, may be decreased to attenuate an amount of radiationtransmitted through the bristles. The number, angles, sizes, etc. of thesteps forming the reflective surfaces may be changed to increase,decrease, and/or change a distribution of radiation through thebristles.

In other embodiments of the invention prior art toothbrushes equippedwith a light source, which illuminates the brushing region and whichprovides beneficial radiation to the tooth surface, can be used.Examples of illuminating toothbrushes are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,306,143 entitled DENTAL HYGIENE APPLIANCE; 5,160,194 entitledTOOTHBRUSH WITH EXTERNALLY ILLUMINATED BRISTLES; 5,030,090 entitledOPTICAL TOOTHBRUSH AND METHOD OF USE; and 4,779,173 entitled ILLUMINATEDBRUSH DEVICE, all of which are expressed incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

The handle 4 includes a power cord 30 which may be plugged into a walloutlet in order to supply operating power to the light-emitting device14. Other embodiments of the invention may have a replaceable orrechargeable battery in the handle 4 as the power source for thelight-emitting device 14. In addition, in the illustrated embodiment,brushing head 5 is readily detachable from handle 4. This allows for aplurality of brushing heads 5, each used by a different individual, tobe mounted on handle 4 for use. Additionally, lens 18 may form a unitwith handle 4, so that each of the brushing heads 5 need not be providedwith its own lens. This configuration would reduce the cost associatedwith manufacturing each head 5. Modified embodiments of the inventionmay have the electromagnetic radiation supplied from a source externalto the toothbrush 1 via a fiber-optic cable, as is known to thoseskilled in the art.

In one embodiment, the toothbrush 1 emits polychromatic electromagneticradiation of a wavelength and an intensity for facilitating the removalof undesired substances from a target surface. Typical undesiredsubstances include bacteria, plaque, tartar, and calculus, all of whichcontribute to, or are precursors of, tooth decay. In other embodimentsof the invention monochromatic electromagnetic radiation is emitted toaccomplish similar objectives.

The dentifrice is formulated in one embodiment to comprisephotosensitive agents that assist in removing undesired substances fromteeth, such as stains, bacteria, plaque, tartar, and calculus. Thephotosensitive agents react to the emitted electromagnetic radiation ofthe toothbrush during brushing to enhance removal of the undesiredsubstances.

The removal enhancement provided by the dentifrice may be direct, suchas when the photosensitive agent reacts to the electromagnetic radiationand, in turn, reacts with the undesired substance to remove it. Examplesof materials that may comprise a photosensitive agent include peroxycompounds, salt compounds, anti-bacteria agents, and anti-plaque agents.The salt compounds may or may not be dissolved in the dentifrice. Theuse of peroxide compounds, such as hydrogen peroxide and carbamideperoxide, in dentifrices is known in the art, as disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 4,990,089 entitle METHOD AND MATERIAL FOR BRIGHTENING TEETH, whichis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In accordance withthe present invention, the electromagnetic radiation emitted by thetoothbrush 1 during brushing enhances the whitening and cleaning of theteeth when used in combination with the dentifrice comprising aphotosensitive agent. Other embodiments of the invention comprisedentifrices used in connection with a photosensitive agent comprising afoaming agent. The foaming agent generates foam in the presence of theelectromagnetic radiation. The foam operates as a carrier that deliversdentifrice to areas not reachable by the toothbrush cleaning surface,thus improving the overall cleaning and whitening of the teeth. Thefoaming agent may comprise a peroxy compound in one embodiment of theinvention.

In addition, when certain photosensitive agents are brought into contactwith one or more of the undesired substances, the application ofelectromagnetic radiation having an appropriate wavelength and energycontent can render the substance or substances visible.

By way of example, one of the purposes of tooth brushing is to removebacteria which have collected on tooth surfaces, frequently in pits andfissures in the tooth enamel. It is known that regardless of the careexercised and time spent in a brushing session, some of the bacteriadeposits may not be dislodged and removed from the tooth surfaces. It isalso known that there are chemical products, known as disclosingsolutions, which can make any deposited bacteria visible. There areother photosensitive agents, which may be preferable to the conventionaldisclosing solutions, which will react with bacteria in such a manner asto render the bacteria visible in the presence of radiation having acertain wavelength or wavelengths. When such a dentifrice is employed,the photosensitive agent comprises a disclosing agent that renders anyexisting bacteria visible under the radiation produced by thelight-emitting device 14 by changing the color of the disclosing agent.The disclosing agent has an affinity for undesired substances, such asbacteria and/or plaque, resulting in the disclosing agent beingconcentrated about the undesired substances relative to other areas onthe target surface. As a result, the radiated, disclosing agentannounces locations of undesired substances on the teeth surface, sothat brushing can be continued until the user observes that all bacteriahave been removed from all visible tooth surfaces. While it would bemore difficult to carry out this procedure on lingual tooth surfaces,this would be possible, if brushing were carried out while viewing thosesurfaces with a mirror. The dentifrices of modified embodiments of theinvention may visually announce plaque and/or other undesired substancesduring brushing as well.

According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the chemicalproduct consists of or contains Black Shade No. 4625, which can beobtained by Crompton & Knowles, Ingredient Technology Division, ofReading, Pa. In this embodiment, the radiation source produces radiationat a wavelength, or wavelengths, of between 0.8 mm and 1 mm. Aspresently embodied, the radiation source produces polychromaticelectromagnetic radiation of wavelengths ranging from 0.8 mm to 1 mm. Ina modified embodiment of the invention, the radiation source producespolychromatic electromagnetic radiation of wavelengths comprising atleast a portion of the different wavelengths in the 0.8 mm to 1 mmrange. In still another modified embodiment, the radiation sourceproduces electromagnetic radiation of a single wavelength in the 0.8 mmto 1 mm range. The radiation source may comprise, for example, a Nd:YAGlaser.

The source is adjusted to emit radiation at an energy level selected onthe basis of the expected concentration of the Black Shade No. 4625 inthe material to be treated. The Black Shade No. 4625 will stain, forexample, cariogenic bacteria or streptococcus faecalis black so thatthis bacteria, or any other substance absorbing Black Shade No. 4625,will readily absorb the laser radiation. As an alternative to the BlackShade No. 4625 in the example, any other substance for staining thebacteria, for example, black can be used. Other photosensitivesubstances may be used in addition to, or as an alternative to, black.Agents comprising oranges, reds, browns, yellows, greens, blues, etc.,supplied, for example, by Crompton & Knowles, Ingredient TechnologyDivision, of Reading, Pa., may be selected, along with radiation sourceshaving corresponding wavelengths. According to one specific embodiment,the chemical product is sudan red as a vital stain when the radiationsource is an argon laser.

The radiation energy density can be made sufficiently high to directlyvaporize the stained substance. For example, in the case wherestreptococcus faecalis is stained with Black Shade No. 4625 andirradiated by an Nd:YAG laser, this effect can be achieved with anenergy density of the order of 10 J/cm2.

To improve efficiency in accordance with the present invention, thedentifrice transmits an optimum amount of electromagnetic radiationtherethrough. In an embodiment of the invention, an optimum amount oftransmission through the dentifrice comprises transmittingelectromagnetic radiation at wavelengths and intensities thereof tofacilitate reaction of the photosensitive agent, and substantially noadditional electromagnetic radiation beyond that. Embodiments of theinvention have the photosensitive agents dispersed throughout thedentifrice. During brushing, the dentifrice is dispersed in varyingthicknesses over the target surface, which comprises the teeth and gums.To be effective, the electromagnetic radiation should penetrate throughthe dentifrice's varying thickness, so that significant portions of thephotosensitive agent throughout the varying thicknesses are irradiatedand react. For this to occur, the dentifrice transmits the radiationthrough the varying thicknesses, thereby enabling the significantportions of the dispersed photosensitive agent throughout the dentifriceto substantially absorb the radiation and react. In modified embodimentsof the invention, the dentifrice is clear, translucent, tinted, opaque,or a combination thereof. The term “clear” shall be understood to meanvisually colorless and transparent. In one embodiment of the invention,the dentifrice is a clear gel comprising at least about 1.5 percenthydrogen peroxide and a clear base.

In one exemplary embodiment, the base comprises water, hydrogenperoxide, poloxamer 407, glycerine, flavor and sodium saccharin. Inanother exemplary embodiment, the base comprises fluoride, hydrogenperoxide, and hydrated silica. The clear gel maximizes transmission ofradiation therethrough, to thereby maximize an interaction of the cleargel with the radiation throughout the thickness of the clear gel.

In further modified embodiments of the invention, the container maycomprise compartments which hold a first portion of the dentifrice inone compartment and a second portion of the dentifrice in the othercompartment (not shown). The separation of the dentifrice portions maybe to prevent components in the separate portions from reacting prior touse. For example, a first portion comprising baking soda can beseparated from a second portion comprising hydrogen peroxide.

In accordance with one embodiment, the active ingredient or ingredientsof the dentifrice are engineered to remain relatively stable until thedentifrice is disposed on the tooth. In an embodiment where thedentifrice comprises peroxide, for example, the dentifrice is engineeredto hold the peroxide in a relatively stable condition both while in thetube and while initially on the toothbursh.

In addition to engineering the dentifrice to remain stable until placedon the tooth and agitated, a method of the invention comprises a step ofinstructing the user to leave the source of the toothbrush in an offmode until the toothbursh and dentifrice are placed on the teeth. Theuser follows the instructions and inserts the toothbrush, with thedentifrice thereon and with the source in an off mode, into the mouthand onto the teeth of the user. Subsequently, the user places the sourceinto an on mode to thereby initiate the emission of radiation from thetoothbursh into the dentifrice. The user can then move the bristles ofthe toothbrush on the teeth to agitate and further activate the activethe ingredient or ingredients of the dentifrice. In selectedembodiments, the mere placement of the on a tooth, with or withoutagitation, initiates activation of the ingredient or ingredients of thedentifrice. For example, a stain comprising iron, disposed on a tooth,can help to activate the peroxide of a dentifrice when the dentifrice isplaced into contact with the stain on the tooth. In this example, theadditional irradiation of the dentifrice can enhance the activation. Inother embodiments of the above examples, the bristles of the toothburshare placed only into close proximity with the teeth.

In still other embodiments of the invention, the dentifrice may compriseabrasives. The abrasives may be visible, an example of which isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,935,306 entitled TOOTHPASTE FORMULATIONS,which is incorporated herein by reference. The abrasives may be clear,an example of which is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,864,470 entitledVISUALLY CLEAR TOOTHPASTE CONTAINING SYNTHETIC PRECIPITATED HYDRATEDSILICA, which is incorporated herein by reference. Clear abrasiveparticles enhance the transmissibility of the dentifrice, as compared toopaque abrasive particles.

In an embodiment of the invention, the electromagnetic radiation emittedfrom the toothbrush 1 is substantially free of ultraviolet radiation.Ultraviolet radiation is a relatively high energy wavelength range,compared to visible and infrared wavelengths. Under some circumstances,directing ultraviolet radiation into the mouth may result in cellulardamage. Further, as the ultraviolet radiation is higher energy, thetoothbrush 1 may consume less energy during operation as it does notemit the higher energy ultraviolet wavelengths.

In an embodiment of the invention, the dentifrice and the toothbrush 1are tuned to be efficient. The dentifrice is formulated with aphotosensitive agent. The dentifrice is then tested, using techniquesknown to those skilled in the art, to determine wide-range reactiveelectromagnetic radiation wavelengths that cause the photosensitiveagents to react. The toothbrush 1 is then designed such that it emits atleast a portion of the wide-range electromagnetic radiation wavelengths.Other embodiments of the invention may comprise a toothbrush that emitselectromagnetic radiation wavelengths consisting essentially ofnon-ultraviolet radiation, or, consisting essentially of wavelengthswithin a range of 300 to 750 nanometers. Other embodiments of theinvention comprise a toothbrush that emits electromagnetic radiationwithin the infrared or near-infrared region. Compounds can be selectedto react with this light exclusively or in addition to otherwavelengths.

The radiation from the source may comprise a single wavelength in theinfrared or near-infrared region, or may comprise a plurality ofwavelengths in the infrared or near-infrared region. In one embodiment,the infrared or near-infrared region is selected to comprise a range ofwavelengths from about 700 nm to about 990 nm. In another embodiment,the infrared or near-infrared region is selected to comprise visiblelight, as well, for a combined range of wavelengths from about 300 nm toabout 990 nm, or to about 1 mm.

Other embodiments of the invention may comprise determining anarrow-range of electromagnetic radiation wavelengths, wherein thephotosensitive agent has a relatively high reaction rate when exposed tothe narrow-range reactive electromagnetic radiation wavelengths comparedto an average reaction rate when the photosensitive agent is exposed tothe wide-range reactive electromagnetic radiation wavelengths. Thetoothbrush 1 is designed to provide electromagnetic radiation, which issubstantially in the narrow-range reactive electromagnetic radiationwavelengths.

In another embodiment of the invention, the dentifrice and thetoothbrush 1 are tuned to be efficient in a different process thandescribed above. The dentifrice is formulated to react to theelectromagnetic radiation emitted from the toothbrush 1. Embodiments ofthe invention may have a toothbrush that emits electromagnetic radiationwavelengths consisting essentially of non-ultraviolet radiation orconsisting essentially of wavelengths within a range of 300 to 750nanometers.

While the description above refers to particular embodiments of thepresent invention, it will be understood that many modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, embodimentsof the invention may have a toothbrush emitting either polychromatic ormonochromatic electromagnetic radiation. Additionally, theelectromagnetic radiation may be coherent or non-coherent. Further,aspects of the invention may have combinations of the above-describedembodiments although these combinations may not be explicitly described.The accompanying claims are intended to cover such embodiments as wouldfall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.

1. A system comprising a dentifrice, the dentifrice including adispersed photosensitive agent, which is formulated to be reactive to apredetermined range of wavelengths of polychromatic electromagneticradiation, the dispersed photosensitive agent being distributedthroughout the dentifrice in such a way that, when the dentifrice isdisposed in varying thicknesses over a target surface during use, thedentifrice is transparent to and transmits the predetermined range ofwavelengths of polychromatic electromagnetic radiation through itsvarying thicknesses, whereby during such use a significant portion ofthe dispersed photosensitive agent, throughout the varying thicknessesof the dentifrice, receives the predetermined range of wavelengths ofpolychromatic electromagnetic radiation thus enabling the significantportion of the dispersed photosensitive agent to react to thepredetermined range of wavelengths of polychromatic electromagneticradiation.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the photosensitive agentcomprises a peroxy compound.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein theperoxy compound is hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.
 4. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the photosensitive agent comprises one ormore salt compounds.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the dentifrice isaqueous and at least a portion of the salt compound is dissolved in thedentifrice.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the dentifrice comprises aclear gel.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the clear gel comprisesclear abrasive particles.
 8. The system of claim 6, wherein the cleargel comprises abrasive particles that are not clear.
 9. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the photosensitive agent comprises an anti-bacterialagent for removing bacteria in the presence of the polychromaticelectromagnetic radiation.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein theanti-bacterial agent has an affinity for bacteria, whereby, during useof the system, the anti-bacterial agent becomes concentrated about areasof bacteria on the target surface relative to other areas on the targetsurface.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein: the photosensitive agentcomprises an anti-plaque agent for removing plaque in the presence ofthe polychromatic electromagnetic radiation; and the anti-plaque agenthas an affinity for plaque, whereby, during use of the system, theanti-plaque agent becomes concentrated about areas of plaque on thetarget surface relative to other areas on the target surface.
 12. Thesystem of claim 1, further comprising a disclosing agent having anaffinity for bacteria and/or plaque, wherein said disclosing agentchanges appearance when irradiated by the polychromatic electromagneticradiation, whereby, during use of the system, the disclosing agentbecomes concentrated about areas of bacteria and/or plaque on the targetsurface relative to other areas on the target surface, whereby theirradiated, disclosing agent visually announces locations of bacteriaand/or plaque on the target surface.
 13. The system of claim 1, whereinthe photosensitive agent comprises a foaming agent for generating foamin the presence of the polychromatic electromagnetic radiation, wherebyfoam generated during use of the system operates as a carrier thatdelivers dentifrice to areas not reachable by a toothbrush cleaningsurface.
 14. The system of claim 1, wherein the polychromaticelectromagnetic radiation is substantially free of ultravioletradiation.
 15. A system comprising a dentifrice, the dentifriceincluding a dispersed photosensitive agent that is formulated to bereactive to a predetermined wavelength of electromagnetic radiation, thedispersed photosensitive agent being distributed throughout thedentifrice in such a way that, when the dentifrice is disposed invarying thicknesses over a target surface during use, the dentifrice istransparent to and transmits the predetermined wavelength ofelectromagnetic radiation through its varying thicknesses, wherebyduring such use a significant portion of the dispersed photosensitiveagent, throughout the varying thicknesses of the dentifrice, receivesthe predetermined wavelength of electromagnetic radiation thus enablingthe significant portion of the dispersed photosensitive agent to reactto the predetermined wavelength of electromagnetic radiation.
 16. Thesystem of claim 15, wherein the photosensitive agent comprises one ormore of hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide.
 17. The system ofclaim 15, wherein the photosensitive agent comprises one or more saltcompounds.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the dentifrice is aqueousand at least a portion of the salt compound is dissolved in thedentifrice.
 19. The system of claim 15, wherein the dentifrice comprisesa clear gel.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the clear gel comprisesclear abrasive particles.
 21. The system of claim 19, wherein the cleargel comprises abrasive particles that are not clear.
 22. The system ofclaim 19, wherein the photosensitive agent comprises an anti-bacterialagent for removing bacteria in the presence of the electromagneticradiation.
 23. The system of claim 22, the anti-bacterial agent havingan affinity for bacteria, whereby, during use of the system, theanti-bacterial agent is concentrated about areas of bacteria on thetarget surface relative to other areas on the target surface.
 24. Thesystem of claim 19, wherein the photosensitive agent comprises ananti-plaque agent for removing plaque in the presence of theelectromagnetic radiation.
 25. The system of claim 24, the anti-plaqueagent having an affinity for plaque, whereby, during use of the system,the anti-plaque agent is concentrated about areas of plaque on thetarget surface relative to other areas on the target surface.
 26. Thesystem of claim 19, further comprising a disclosing agent having anaffinity for bacteria and/or plaque, the disclosing agent changingappearance when irradiated by the electromagnetic radiation, whereby,during use of the system, the disclosing agent becomes concentratedabout areas of bacteria and/or plaque on the target surface relative toother areas on the target surface, whereby the irradiated, disclosingagent announces locations of bacteria and/or plaque on the targetsurface.
 27. The system of claim 19, wherein the photosensitive agentcomprises a foaming agent for generating foam in the presence of theelectromagnetic radiation, whereby foam generated during use of thesystem operates as a carrier that delivers dentifrice to areas typicallynot reachable by a toothbrush cleaning surface.
 28. The system of claim15, wherein the predetermined wavelength of electromagnetic radiation isexclusive of any wavelengths corresponding to ultraviolet radiation. 29.The system of claim 28, wherein: the electromagnetic radiation ismonochromatic; and the photosensitive agent reacts when exposed to themonochromatic electromagnetic radiation.
 30. The system of claim 28,wherein the photosensitive agent comprises one or more of hydrogenperoxide and carbamide peroxide.
 31. The system of claim 28, wherein thephotosensitive agent comprises one or more salt compounds.
 32. Thesystem of claim 31, wherein the dentifrice is aqueous and at least aportion of the salt compound is dissolved in the dentifrice.
 33. Thesystem of claim 28, wherein the dentifrice comprises a clear gel. 34.The system of claim 33, wherein the clear gel comprises clear abrasiveparticles.
 35. The system of claim 33, wherein the clear gel comprisesabrasive particles that are not clear.
 36. The system of claim 33,wherein: the electromagnetic radiation is monochromatic; and thephotosensitive agent comprises an anti-bacterial agent for removingbacteria in the presence of the monochromatic electromagnetic radiation.37. The system of claim 36, wherein the anti-bacterial agent has anaffinity for bacteria, and, during use of the system, the anti-bacterialagent is concentrated about areas of bacteria on the target surfacerelative to other areas on the target surface.
 38. The system of claim36, wherein the photosensitive agent comprises an anti-plaque agent forremoving plaque in the presence of the monochromatic electromagneticradiation.
 39. The system of claim 33, wherein: the electromagneticradiation is monochromatic; the photosensitive agent comprises ananti-plaque agent for removing plaque in the presence of themonochromatic electromagnetic radiation and the anti-plaque agent has anaffinity for plaque, whereby, during use of the system, the anti-plaqueagent is concentrated about areas of plaque on the target surfacerelative to other areas on the target surface.
 40. The system of claim33, further comprising a disclosing agent having an affinity forbacteria and/or plaque, wherein said disclosing agent changes appearancewhen irradiated by the electromagnetic radiation, whereby, during use ofthe system, the disclosing agent is concentrated about areas of bacteriaand/or plaque on the target surface relative to other areas on thetarget surface, whereby the irradiated, disclosing agent announceslocations of bacteria and/or plaque on the target surface.
 41. Thesystem of claim 33, wherein the photosensitive agent comprises a foamingagent for generating foam in the presence of the electromagneticradiation, whereby foam generated during use of the system operates as acarrier that delivers dentifrice to areas not reachable by a toothbrushcleaning surface.
 42. The system of claim 41, wherein theelectromagnetic radiation is monochromatic electromagnetic radiation.43. The system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined range ofwavelengths of polychromatic electromagnetic radiation has a lower limitof approximately 350 nanometers and an upper limit of approximately 700nanometers.
 44. The system of claim 1, wherein: the photosensitive agenthas a relatively high reaction rate when exposed to electromagneticradiation in a highly reactive portion of the predetermined rangecompared to an average reaction rate when the photosensitive agent isexposed to electromagnetic radiation over the predetermined range; andthe predetermined range of wavelengths of polychromatic electromagneticradiation is bound to wavelengths that are substantially within thehighly reactive portion of the predetermined range.